A groundbreaking study published in Current Biology by researchers Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró and Alice M.I. Auersperg has revealed that cows possess much more complex intelligence than previously believed. The research describes how Veronika, a cow on a farm in Austria, is capable of using tools flexibly and with a deliberate purpose—a discovery that challenges traditional frameworks regarding ungulate cognition.

Dr. Miquel Llorente (Comparative Minds Research Group) was invited by numerous media organizations to analyze the scope and implications of these findings. In his commentary, Llorente emphasizes that this discovery is not merely an anecdotal curiosity, but a milestone that forces a rethink of the evolution of intelligence beyond primates and birds.

In statements to Science Media Centre, Llorente highlighted the significance of cognitive flexibility: "It is not just about using an object; it is about how the animal adapts it to solve a specific problem. This study forces us to rethink our entire relationship with farm animals." Speaking with elDiario.es, he further discussed the ethical shift this research triggers, noting that such evidence "will challenge" long-held societal perceptions of livestock and their welfare.

The news has garnered global attention, with Llorente’s insights featured in Wired, which explores the technical sophistication of the behavior, and Diario Veterinario, which highlights the importance of these unprecedented cognitive capacities for the veterinary field. Major outlets such as Expansión, El Mundo, and Diari ARA also echoed his expert analysis on how Veronika is rewriting the rules of evolutionary biology.

🔗 Read the full articles and interviews:

• Science Media Centre: Demuestran por primera vez que una vaca puede usar herramientas

• elDiario.es: La vaca que desafía a los científicos

• El Mundo: Veronika, la vaca que rompe moldes

• Wired: Las vacas son más listas de lo que pensábamos

• Diario Veterinario: Capacidades cognitivas inéditas en ganado

• Expansión: El impacto de la inteligencia animal en la ciencia

• Diari ARA: Veronika, la primera vaca que utilitza eines

📖 Original study reference:

Osuna-Mascaró, A. J., & Auersperg, A. M. I. (2026). Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow. Current Biology, 36(2), R44–R45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.059